MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT  MEETING

11TH APRIL 2002
HELD AT THE HAILEY DAY CENTRE SAWBRIDGEWORTH
 

PRESENT:          Ted Burrow (Chairman)      Ellen Knighton
Warren Richards (Secretary)      Mary Whitehead
Joyce Vincent (Sbw Town Council)
Tony Vidler (Sbw A/S)      John Collier     
Tom Potts               Kate Yarnold
Monya Billings          Jacqueline Dore   
 John Rider             Diana Richards    
Stan Barker                  Alan Ward
Ron Taylor              Chris Rees
Burt Puncher (A/S)       Jean Ward
Renee Allen             Emma Jordan (EHDC)

      

APOLOGIES:      Cllr Dodd, EHDC      Eric Coalman
Janet Ralph       David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)
P Pasfield          Bob Wright
Michael Vincent (Treasurer)
D & H Mead        E & J Willett

MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of 13th March 2002 were accepted as a true
record. Emma J offered to do the minutes in future if necessary.


MATTERS ARISING: John R said that Francis Hassett of HCC Biological Records
would be coming to our May meeting to give a talk; Sec to formally invite with map.
Planning Notices. Warren R explained that Notices were posted on the Town Notice
Board outside The Hailey Day Centre and questions could be raised at this meeting.

Web Site. Members discussed how we could support having an archive with computer
facilities for scanning in pictures of Sawbridgeworth and its history to the web site. This
could be located in a dedicated room in The Memy. Tom P to look at costs of equipment.

The Jubilee. Monya B suggested we organise a treasure hunt with a theme of Town
history and environmental interest. Sec to contact Jubilee Committee.
Venue. Members were pleased with holding meetings at the Hailey Day Centre (HDYC)
but the second Thursday in the month had lost us a few regular members.

AGENDA ITEMS:

1 Pollution. Trials in the USA have shown the smaller the particulates from diesel
engines the more harm to respiratory function. These trials have looked down to PM0.5
(1/2 micron) but the available monitors only sum all particulates below PM10. Gary
Wallace EHDC has written to us about American trials and says our monitor has to have
a years data until meaningful readings can be assessed. Ted B agreed to acknowledge his
letter and ask for results from the monitor in October and consideration be given to the
American Trials. Ted B is still looking for support from the Health Service on respiratory
problems especially children in Sbw. He will contact our MP for support.

Tom P felt the route course of pollution was due to people not working where they live;
more roads make more traffic. Diana R suggested we invite Mr Mishan Friends of the
Earth to give a talk on transport and pollution. Sec to arrange. Members support EHDC
to arrange far better parking at the station to encourage rail travel.
2Fair Green. Ted B wrote to the Town Council to raise the question of pedestrian access
at the South end of Fair Green which will be discussed at 29th April meeting of The
Council. In comparison with the work for Safe Routes to School (SRtoS) being carried
out in Highwych nothing obvious is happening in Sbw. If progress was not made with the
SRtoS and the safety of Fair Green members were asking for a petition to be raised.
It was said that the previous owner of Bonks House gave up land to Highways to allow a
wider junction to be built at the end of Brook Road for a filter to be constructed.
3 Community Plan. It was agreed by all members present that Sawbridgeworth should
have its own CP and not combined with Bps. Members wished to see an article in Church
and Town explaining the situation. John R offered to send his script to publishers. We
need a wish list from people of the Town.
4 Footpaths. Path 23 north of Pishiobury Park still has one householder encroaching on
the footpath by one meter. The HCC Solicitor is suggesting this could be a compromise
but all members were firmly against, on principle and for future decent from neighbours.
Ted will write giving our views. Most householders especially to the West are using the
path as a garden rubbish depository.
5 Forum at Much Hadam. Will be held on the 18th April 02 at 8.00pm in the village
hall; there will be speakers on the Council Tax and Agenda 21. A possible question to put
is opening a Museum/Information Centre in Sbw.  
6.  AOB. Ted B said he had been informed of 14 aircraft off-track over the built-up area
of Sbw.

EHDC are assessing ownership of land to place a Dog Crap Bin near towpath at Station
Road

   

7. DNM. The 9th May 02 at 8.00pm in the Hailey Day Centre.


 

    

* Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library.